O'Connor's fall

Maureen O’Connor’s story is very sad. In “Fall from grace” (Feb. 17) the U-T is sympathetic to her situation and notes that it is not an uncommon one. However, your front page story headlined “$1,000,000,000” (Feb. 15) did Ms. O’Connor a great disservice. While you were technically correct in stating the amount of her gambling losses, a kinder story that day would not have waited until Page Two to note that her NET losses were only $13 million. Many of your readers will only remember the headline. Shame on you. – Marie Skillman, South Park

Ms. O’Connor’s attorney suggests that her misdeeds be mitigated due to her alleged “character defects.”

In response to all U-T articles regarding Miss O’Connor’s gambling addiction: Miss O’Connor’s predicament is far from an isolated incident. Although many programs are available, desperation gamblers will not seek help until it is too late and their money has run out.

As a community we need to conclude that regulation at casinos’ floor level is the only step that will make a difference.

Casinos are well aware of who on the floor is at risk. It is about time to control this abuse and make it a legal requirement for casinos to take action when necessary. The outcome will not be waterproof but many lives will be turned around.

It took an ex-high-profile public official’s demise to finally shine the light on this issue.

Perhaps Miss O’Connor will be the catapult for these changes and that would be her greatest contribution. Thank you, Miss O’Connor. – Monique Strocco, La Mesa

Where were O’Connor’s friends, those she helped during her tenure? Where are they now? I think we need a fundraising event. She helped San Diego; it is time we helped her. – Pat Doering, Poway

You hold up a 7-Eleven and steal $200, you go to prison. You loot $2 million from a charity you head and you get a pass because the devil made you do it. The power elite wonders why the people are cynical. – Paul B. Evans, Valley Center

Thank God the 1 billion dollars was not in front of the City Council. It would be gone, as fast as the slots took it! – Rick Koppel, San Diego

The outpouring of sympathy for Maureen O’Connor is indeed moving. What is forgotten in a rush to minimize her crime is the fact that she stole from poor and disenfranchised. The foundation, now broke, she stole from was created to help the terminally ill. Of course these are the most vulnerable citizens who actually need help.

Maureen O’Connor is only following in the Democrat tradition. When the current theft that is ongoing in government today does indeed cause financial failure of our country the poor and vulnerable will suffer the most. – Jim Reid, Pacific Beach

If the money Maureen O’Connor took was a loan, she’d have signed a promissory note, showing collateral and ability to repay. If it was a loan, the lender would have her in civil court or she’d be in bankruptcy court, not criminal court. Had the judge held true to his oath and his promise to uphold the law, she’d be going to trial.

I guess true justice these days is only reserved for us common folk. – Mark Blakey, Bonita